"The Manny Effect" on managers

Remember this play -- Jeter's perfect, impossibly instinctual why-is-he-even-on-the-screen backhand flip to Jorge Posada? This play never happened. That's because in 2001, Jeter doesn't get to flip the ball to Posada if the Yankees don't make the playoffs, and the Yankees don't make the playoffs if they aren't anchored by Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, who combined for 32 wins.

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Chris Sprow

ESPN Insider

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Chris Sprow is a senior editor for ESPN Insider. He reports on the NFL and other sports, works year-round with Mel Kiper on NFL draft coverage and also oversees ESPN's Rumor Central. He's been a frequent guest on ESPN TV and radio.